(Greencastle, Ind.) The Putnam County Health Dept. announced today the fifth death of aPutnam County resident from COVID-19.

No further information about the individual will be released due to privacy laws. Currently, there are 81 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Putnam County. Additional updates include:

Putnam County Hospital reports that it has not had an inpatient with COVID-19 in the last 16 days. This includes current patients, as well as individuals who have been tested by the hospital and are recovering at home.

Greencastle Banner Graphic assistant editor details recent visit to Putnam County Hospital. Jared Jernigan quotes CEO Dennis Weatherford in the article, “People areputting off care that, both short term and long term, is going to have bad effects. If you need care, come in. We’re taking every precaution we possibly can.” Read the article at https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2726608.html

Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.

Stay home when you are sick.

Wear face coverings in public when performing essential duties.

We are all in this together.

Putnam County is providing regular updates on COVID-19 to citizens as part of its effort to complement the daily updates from the Indiana State Dept. of Health. The updates can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911

Our Hospital

More COVID-19 testing is coming to Putnam County May 13. OptumServe will offer FREE tests starting Wednesday to high-risk Hoosiers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or in direct contact with someone who has the virus. Visit https://pchosp.org/testing-site-opens-may-13/ to learn who should be tested. Registration is required at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or (888) 634-1116. Please note that with the increase in testing, it’s possible that the number of cases in the county will increase.

Effective April 2, 2020 at 6 a.m., Putnam County Hospital will enact a no visitor policy to protect patients and the hospital community from COVID-19. The hospital will be establishing ways for families and loved ones to communicate with patients, including designated apps and shared tools for patients who do not have access to personal technology devices. The hospitalist and leadership will apply their discretion to special circumstances involving minor children accompaniment and end of life care, to ensure patients, their families and loved ones are cared for in the most compassionate way during this time.